Probably the most puzzling adaptation to hit theaters in years, Speed Racer seems to have separated film fans into two distinct categories of love and hate. While some think the movie looks terrible, with stale acting and CG way too far over the top, others see it as a perfect adaptation of a cheesy dated anime classic into the modern form, with the emphasis on fun and exhilarating action. The Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix) were lauded with their last debut, V for Vendetta, and they should receive the same praise from their fans for this adaptation as well.
Directed by one of the most underrated talents in Hollywood today, Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, The Rundown), Hancock places Will Smith (Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness) into the driver’s seat of yet another summer blockbuster. While I Am Legend failed to captivate, thanks to its unbelievable CG (Not the good “unbelievable” that is) and poorly paced second half, Berg has the talent necessary to assemble a good supporting cast for Smith (Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron) and deliver with action, plot, and comedy.
Following his rehabilitation from all things illegal, Robert Downey Jr. has also gone through a cinematic revitalization as well. Exuding a bravado of class, style, and quick wit, Downey’s last few years have seen some great work: Zodiac, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and A Scanner Darkly chief among them. Look for him to take the reigns of Iron Man’s first cinematic appearance and head it towards greatness. If this first take doesn’t quite work out, expect the rest of the trilogy which director Jon Favreau (Elf, Made) is planning, to up the ante even more.
Guillermo del Toro can do no wrong. From his entrance into the director’s seat with Cronos, del Toro has followed with a heaping of stylized efforts, including the incredible Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) in 2006. The Golden Army picks up the story from the original Hellboy which has virtually every major cast member back for the second round. Considering the record of comic sequels, like X2: X-Men United and Spider-Man 2 which are both better than their predecessors, this should continue that phenomenal streak.
Andrew Adamson, who’s first directoral effort was the first in this series, surprised many with his talent for blending big effects, big story, and no-name actors into a timeless fantasy stand-out. He’s fortunate to have all four of the Pevensie kids back, along with the Oscar winning Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, Constantine) and the always solid James McAvoy (Atonement, The Last King of Scotland), in the second of Lewis’s classic series. If everyone stays on board, this could turn into one of the best and most consistent film sagas ever.
The trailer for this upcoming comedy completely sells what sounds like, on the surface, another low-budget, lowest common denominator comedy. Using MIA’s popular “Paper Planes”, the teaser features everything from James Franco (Spider-Man 2) hiding in a dumpster and kicking through a car window to Seth Rogen (Superbad, Knocked Up) jumping high from a overhang onto a cop to faking cocking a gun to the cue of the hip-hop rhythm. Don’t ask why, but this could follow Superbad as a comedy with an list of infinite rewatchable qualities.
Perhaps no movie studio in recent history has had the certain consistent quality of output like Pixar Animation Studios. Every single entry in their catalog, ifrom Toy Story to Ratatouille, features stories and animation ahead of any other studio on the planet and Wall-E, from the mind of Andrew Stanton (A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo), could be their magnum opus. As a front-runner and probable winner of the Best Animated Feature award at next year’s Oscars, there should no reason to miss a ticket to see this on June 27th.
After the Star Wars trilogy took a long hiatus, the buildup for Episode I was unshakable. Fans lined up hours in advance to catch the first of the infamous prequel. Unlike Phantom Menance, the latest Indiana Jones entry, coming 24 years after Last Crusade, will deliver. George Lucas has been relegated to producer, where he shines, and Steven Spielberg, who rarely faulters, directs this new chapter. Along side Harrison Ford, who’s age will be hinted at in the plot (65 years young), will be the rising star Shia LeBeouf (Disturbia) and the incredible Cate Blanchett (Babel).
Batman Begins restarted the Dark Knight’s film franchise with one of the best comic book adaptations ever, rivaling Spider-Man 2. Using the talented Christian Bale (Rescue Dawn), Nolan was able to give a grounded voice to the popular character. With The Dark Knight, Chris Nolan (Insomnia) ventures past the origin story and into the mind of the Joker, Batman’s most alluring rival, played by Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain). His performance was grabbing attention before his death and now its hearing Oscar buzz. Mark it down: This will be one of the top ten best films of the year.
